Alpha of the Ranch

A Talk

“So a date huh? What do you have planned?”

Oliver gave a noncommittal grunt to Lucas as he ran on the treadmill. It was a rainy day a little on the cooler side and they’d opted to workout indoors today instead of training in the rain. Neither of them was deeply committed to the wetness outside.

“I don’t fully have a plan yet.” Oliver admitted. He’d spent the past few days trying to come up with something that was worth Victoria putting this faith in him. He’d unfortunately come up short so far. “I mean, what can I do that says ‘Hey I know you’re still in love with your dead husband, but I’m your wolf soulmate!’” He rolled his eyes at himself and picked up speed a little. “I just want to wow her. I want her to love the date and feel like it was worth her time.”

Lucas nodded beside him even though he couldn’t see it. “I don’t think you have to put this much thought into it man. No matter what else, at the end of the day, she is truly your mate. She’s going to be drawn to you.” Admittedly, Lucas was in unknown territory here. He hadn’t met another wolf whose mate was human before and wasn’t sure what kind of advice to give. But, human or not, he was certain the pull would help Oliver’s plight. The moon Goddess knew what she was doing.

After their workout, the two made their way back into the pack house to shower and address various duties. Oliver didn’t have much to do honestly. His few days of hiding from his mom meant he had dealt with most of the smaller requests that were made from the pack as well as been able to look at some reports he’d put off. He took breakfast in his office and worked for a few hours looking at finances for the businesses. They were doing well and the pack was prospering because of it.

A little before lunch, a knock came from the door.

“Come in.” Oliver called, looking up from the last paper as his mom walked in. Unlike last time, he was happy to see her. Maybe she could help him again.

“Hey mom. What’s up?”

The former Luna sat in one of the seats in front of him. “Nothing much. I just came to check in with you. See how things are going on the love front.” She let out a short laugh.

He chuckled with her. “Well, the last time I went to visit her, she cracked a rib.” He idly rubbed the spot on his side where he’d recently healed.

Now she let out a full laugh. “She did what?” she gasped, between laughs.

Oliver laughed at the memory and recounted the event. His mom laughed at the expected moments, but when he retold Victoria’s loss, he noticed her eyes had misted over.

“Well,” she said, gently wiping at her eyes, “You have a challenge in front of you. One date to make or break it.”

He nodded at her. He could think of a dozen places that were date worthy in a normal case, but so much was riding on this he couldn't choose just anywhere. Victoria was special. This bond was special. He wanted to have a date that showed her just how seriously he was taking this. How badly he wanted her. He also wanted to show her respect; she was a grown woman after all and she hadn’t just come into herself recently. She’d lived life for a while now without him, without anyone by her side. How was he going to get her to let down her walls enough for him to show he was worth it? That they would prosper together.

The wonderful woman across from him gave a clap that startled him out of his deep thoughts. “I know the perfect place!” she exclaimed.

*****

Since her conversation with Oliver, Victoria felt a little tense. It wasn’t that she had revealed such a deeply intimate part of herself to him that made her uneasy. It was the agreement she made. Was it a mistake? Giving him a chance seemed like a fine idea in the moment, but afterwards all her anxieties and worries came out to play. She didn’t actually know this man. He just walked into her life and demanded her attention. He’d opened up a door to emotions she thought she had locked away fairly well. And now here she was willingly opening up more. She had the nagging feeling that she was setting herself up for possible heartbreak again. Losing Micah was world shattering, but if she opened up to Oliver and he simply decided one day he didn’t want to be with a woman running a ranch, she wasn’t sure how she’d handle that.

The feelings didn’t ease when he called her yesterday and told her he had decided on what to do for their date. He picked Sunday, he said, because he thought the ranch might be easier to leave on that day. He wouldn’t tell her what they were doing or where they were going though, even after Victoria reminded him neither of them were in their early 20’s and shouldn’t be childish about this. He laughed at her (it made her insides tingle) and said it was hard to explain, but he thought she’d love it. She, in return, had huffed at him and demanded to know anyway. He’d laughed again.

“You’ll love it. I think… Just dress comfortably and wear good shoes. We’ll be doing a little walking.”

Victoria frowned at the phone. The idea of walking around on a date didn’t entice her. “You aren’t one of those people who want to work out on a date are you?”

He laughed at her on the other end. “A good workout is always welcomed Victoria. You’ll enjoy what I have planned, I'm sure.” And then the conversation ended. She didn’t even have time to question him again on what he meant. Surely there wouldn’t be exercise?

And now she was standing in her room, looking over herself in the mirror. A first date seemed like a moment to go all out, but this seemed…different. Besides the conversation they had, she got the feeling that Oliver wasn’t the average guy and all her interactions with him would probably be different. Part of that idea made her nervous, but another part felt slight relief. If he was different enough, maybe she would be able to enjoy moments with him without comparing it to her time with Micah. Oliver had made a valid point; There was something there worth exploring and she wanted to be fair to him and give it a real chance.

She grabbed a nearby hair clip and pulled her hair into an updo that still allowed her curls to show through. She snagged a light blue sweater to pull on since the air was a little on the cooler side, gave herself a once over again in the mirror, then headed downstairs.

Oliver had said he’d pick her up, but she’d felt more comfortable meeting him somewhere, which he understood. As she walked out the door, she found Joe sitting on the porch. His hat rested on his knee and he turned to her with an easy smile.

“Good afternoon Mrs. Monroe.”

She frowned at him. “I thought you said you were going to call me Vicky now.”

His grin widened as he stood up. “I believe I said I’d think about it. And I did. I figured we’ve gone this long, why switch up the routine?” He ended with a shrug.

His slow drawl made it hard for her to be frustrated with him, but she still rolled her eyes at him. “Okay, okay. Eventually, I’ll wear you down though.”

“I don’t doubt that you’ll try.” His eyes twinkled. “I just came by because I know you’re heading out soon. It’s truly none of my business what you do, but I wanted to…well…” he trailed off as he looked down and took a breath.

“You’ve made this place a real home, Mrs. Monroe. You and the late Mr. took me and the boys in and gave us a new outlook on life. Taught us how to love and care for these animals and this place. And you accepted us how we are only asking us to do our best, but never to change. I just wanted to tell you that it's appreciated. Truly. And if you ever need anything, especially in relation to this new fella we’re here for you. We’ve got your back just like you’ve had ours.”

Victoria stood in front of him, a little taken aback. She wasn’t sure what she expected, but that proclamation wasn’t on her radar at all. She cleared her throat to swallow down her emotions.

“Joe,” she began, a little unsteady. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you and the guys. You stuck by me when other people wanted me to walk away. This place is just as much yours as it is mine now. Your support has meant the world to me.” She smiled at the older man. “This is our home and nothing is going to change that.”

Joe gave her a nod in agreement. There wasn’t much else to say and Victoria had a feeling that the things unsaid were still understood. The ranch wasn’t going anywhere no matter what. She also had no plans at all to dismiss her wonderful staff. They’d made it through the rough times together. They were her family.

Slowly, Joe made his way to the house set up for the ranch hands. He was glad he’d decided to talk with Mrs. Monroe and get that out there. The boys were uneasy ever since that alpha had made his way onto the land. They’d lived a peaceful life here, almost forgetting completely they’d once been rogues with nowhere to lay their heads. They weren’t planning to give that up anytime soon. This was their home, their pack, and they’d fight anyone trying to take it away from them. Especially anyone who hurt Mrs. Monroe.